Public Swimming Baths

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Built on the beach, on the seaward side of the coast road, opposite junction with Queen Street. The structure is low, all built below sea wall level, projecting out from shore into tidal zone and topped by a kiosk overlooking pool.

The kiosk is approached from the street by a slightly inclined concrete walkway bounded to each side by a three-bar steel railing. The walkway also forms the roof of a building underneath. This has a large double-door and infilled window on its left (north) side with a t+g doorway on right side at right end.

The kiosk has a square shallow swept lead-sheeted roof with metal finial and deep projecting eaves carrying modern plastic gutters. Smooth rendered and painted walls (probably over concrete). Canted to street elevation, its three faces and left cheek have modern timber windows. Rear (pool) elevation has projecting chamfered chimney breast to centre and fixed window to right. Right elevation has a metal entrance door.

Quarter-turn concrete steps lead down at left of kiosk to semi-basement below kiosk and flanking changing rooms. This lower floor of kiosk has a modern metal door at right and a small window to left (on pool elevation).

Ladies changing room is to the north. Flat tarred concrete roof with concrete block coping. Smooth rendered and painted walls (probably concrete). At right, on pool elevation, is a metal door, to left of which is a small rectangular window. To right of this room is a concrete screen wall with metal door through to outside and concrete walkway across beach to ramp up to street level. This room also has a small window to N elevation and two smaller windows to street facade.

Men's changing room to south side of kiosk. Flat tarred concrete roof, but no coping; walls as ladies' changing room. Two metal doors to pool elevation and small window to south face.

Area in front of kiosk and men's rooms is paved with contrasting coloured hexagonal concrete flags. Flanked to S by a high painted concrete wall and to poolside by modern timber parapet. Three wooden benches overlook pool.

At left (north), a wide flight of concrete steps, opposite ladies changing rooms, lead down into pool (now dry). Uniform operating depth of 90cm (3ft). Shuttered concrete walls and walkway around (slightly projecting to seaward faces). Six stainless steel ladders also lead down into pool. Seaward side of walkway has vertical metal parapet around.

Street entrance comprises a curved strap-pointed granite screen with a pair of painted steel gates to middle. Over is a modern sign reading "East Coast Adventure Centre".

Historical information

Instigated by Warrenpoint Urban District Council in 1905, with financial backing from the Great Northern Railway Company who owned the nearby hotel (HB16/12/005A). Foundation stone laid by Mrs Hall of Narrow Water Castle the following year. Constructed by H&J Martin at a cost of c.£5000. Opened 8 June 1908 by Captain Roger Hall of Narrow Water Castle. Following the opening a celebratory lunch was served in the pavilion of the Great Northern Hotel (HB16/12/035).

Gentlemen and ladies bathing pools were separated by changing boxes which were topped by a raised promenade deck. The principal structures were timber kiosks constructed in the Moorish taste. The old photographs show there were two small octagonal kiosks to the street with domed roofs and glazed cheeks. Timber swing gates lead to the concrete walkway which was enclosed by timber balustrading. On walkway was a small square (ticket) kiosk with swept lead roof and a larger similar kiosk (still remaining) to rear. The viewing area of the bathing ponds was enclosed by timber fencing and its land facing corners had small open pavilions (as those to entrance). The central promenade deck was enclosed by timber fencing, and was intended for extension as a pier; which was never built. Hot baths were later added and formally opened by Lord Aberdeen, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on 1 June 1909.

The introduction of mixed bathing in the mid 1930’s created such public outcry that segregated bathing was immediately reintroduced. After Second World War, extensive renovations carried out at a cost of £12,548. Reopened by the Chairman of the NITB on 24 June 1950. The existing structure largely dates to this refurbishment. Closed in 1960s (although briefly reopened 1984).

Primary sources:
1. Photograph (WAG 314) in W.A.Green Collection.
2. Photograph (WAG2651) in W.A. Green Collection.
3. Photograph (NLI LAWERANCE ROYAL 2440) in Lawerance Collection.

Secondary sources
1. Liam Bradley, ‘Warrenpoint origins and development (1998).
2. Belfast & Ulster Directory, 1910.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Much altered early 20thC swimming pool retaining little of its original fabric, although still symbolic of the town’s later 19thC development as a bathing resort.